Adapter assemblies for interconnecting electromechanical handle assemblies and surgical loading units

ABSTRACT

A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and an adapter assembly. The handle assembly includes a handle housing and a processor disposed within the handle housing. The adapter assembly includes a knob housing, an elongate body, a plurality of electrical components, and a flex circuit. The knob housing is configured to be connected to the handle housing. The elongate body extends distally from the knob housing and has a distal end configured to be coupled to an end effector. The electrical components are disposed within the elongate body. The flex circuit has a proximal end configured to be electrically connected to the processor, and a distal end configured to be electrically connected to the electrical components.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/421,798, filed Feb. 1, 2017, which claims the benefit of and priorityto U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/293,500, filed Feb. 10,2016, the entire disclosures of each of which are incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to adapter assemblies to electrically andmechanically interconnect electromechanical handle assemblies andsurgical loading units. More specifically, the present disclosurerelates to flex circuits of adapter assemblies for electricallyinterconnecting handle assemblies, adapter assemblies, and/or surgicalloading units.

2. Background of Related Art

A number of surgical device manufacturers have developed product lineswith proprietary drive systems for operating and/or manipulatingelectromechanical surgical devices. In many instances, theelectromechanical surgical devices included a handle assembly, which wasreusable, and disposable loading units and/or single use loading unitsor the like. The loading units included an end effector disposed at anend thereof that were selectively connected to the handle assembly priorto use and then disconnected from the handle assembly following use inorder to be disposed of or in some instances sterilized for re-use.

In certain instances, an adapter assembly was used to interconnect anelectromechanical surgical device with any one of a number of surgicalattachments, such as, for example, surgical loading units or endeffectors, to establish a mechanical and/or electrical connectiontherebetween. To form an electrical connection between the handleassembly, adapter assembly, and surgical loading unit, a plurality ofdiscreet wires were used.

A need exists for an improved way to electrically interconnectcomponents of a surgical instrument.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates the flex circuits that are incorporatedinto adapter assemblies of electromechanical surgical systems. The flexcircuits are configured for electrically interconnecting handleassemblies and surgical loading units.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical instrumentis provided that includes a handle assembly and an adapter assembly. Thehandle assembly includes a handle housing and a processor disposedwithin the handle housing. The adapter assembly includes a knob housing,an elongate body, a plurality of electrical components, and a flexcircuit. The knob housing is configured to be connected to the handlehousing. The elongate body extends distally from the knob housing andhas a distal end configured to be coupled to an end effector. Theelectrical components are disposed within the elongate body. The flexcircuit has a proximal end configured to be electrically connected tothe processor, and a distal end configured to be electrically connectedto the electrical components.

In some embodiments, the flex circuit may have a first surface layer anda second surface layer stacked upon one another. The first surface layermay be configured to electrically couple the processor to two of theplurality of electrical components. The second surface layer may beconfigured to electrically couple the processor to another of theplurality of electrical components.

It is contemplated that the distal end of the flex circuit may have aswitch configured to be activated by one type of end effector uponconnection of the end effector to the distal end of the elongate body.

It is envisioned that one of the electrical components may be a linearposition sensor assembly that is disposed in the distal end of theelongate body. The distal end of the flex circuit may be electricallyconnected to the linear position sensor assembly. The linear positionsensor assembly may include a plurality of sensors axially aligned withone another along a longitudinal axis of the linear position sensorassembly. The linear position sensor assembly may have five contactselectrically connected to the distal end of the flex circuit.

In some aspects of the present disclosure, one of the electricalcomponents may be a pressure sensor. The distal end of the flex circuitmay be bifurcated, forming a first distal end electrically connected tothe linear position sensor assembly and a memory, and a second distalend electrically connected to the pressure sensor. The pressure sensormay be a strain gauge. The pressure sensor may have five contactselectrically connected to the second distal end of the flex circuit.

In some embodiments, one of the electrical components may be a memoryhaving stored therein an operating parameter of the surgical instrument.The distal end of the flex circuit may be electrically connected to thememory. The operating parameter may be selected from the groupconsisting of a speed of operation of a motor of the handle assembly, anamount of power to be delivered by the motor of the handle assemblyduring operation thereof, a selection of motors of the handle assemblyto be actuated, and a type of function of an end effector to beperformed by the handle assembly. The memory may have an identificationcode stored therein corresponding to one type of end effector. Thememory may be a 1-wire eeprom. The 1-wire eeprom may have two contactselectrically connected to the distal end of the flex circuit.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical instrument isprovided that includes a handle assembly, an adapter assembly, and asurgical loading unit. The handle assembly includes a handle housing. Amotor and a processor are each disposed within the handle housing. Theadapter assembly includes a knob housing configured to be connected tothe handle housing, an elongate body extending distally from the knobhousing, a plurality of electrical components disposed within theelongate body, and a flex circuit. The flex circuit has a proximal endand a distal end. The proximal end of the flex circuit is configured tobe electrically connected to the processor. The distal end is configuredto be electrically connected to the electrical components. The surgicalloading unit has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end ofthe surgical loading unit is configured to be operably coupled to adistal end of the elongate body of the adapter assembly. The distal endof the surgical loading unit has an end effector.

In some embodiments, the distal end of the flex circuit may have aswitch configured to be activated by the surgical loading unit uponconnection of the surgical loading unit to the adapter assembly suchthat upon connecting the surgical loading unit with the adapterassembly, the memory automatically transmits at least one operatingparameter to the processor via the flex cable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hand-held, electromechanical surgicalinstrument, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a flex circuit for electrically interconnectinga handle assembly of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1 and an adapterassembly of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a side view of a first surface layer of the flex circuit ofFIG. 2, with parts removed;

FIG. 3B is a side view of a second surface layer of the flex circuit ofFIG. 2, with parts removed;

FIG. 3C is a side view of the first and second surface layers of flexcircuit of FIGS. 3A and 3B, respectively, attached to one another;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a linear position sensor assemblyconnected to the flex circuit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pressure sensor; and

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of a flex circuit having a switch disposed at adistal end thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the presently disclosed electromechanical surgicalinstruments including handle assemblies, adapter assemblies, andsurgical loading units including end effectors are described in detailwith reference to the drawings, in which like reference numeralsdesignate identical or corresponding elements in each of the severalviews. As used herein the term “distal” refers to that portion of thehandle assembly, adapter assembly, surgical loading unit or componentsthereof, farther from the user, while the term “proximal” refers to thatportion of the handle assembly, adapter assembly, surgical loading unitor components thereof, closer to the user.

With brief reference to FIG. 2, a flexible circuit or flex circuit 100is provided and is configured for receipt in an adapter assembly 14(FIG. 1). Flex circuit 100 electrically interconnects a processor “P”(FIG. 1) of a handle assembly 12 (FIG. 1) and a plurality of electricalcomponents of adapter assembly 14 (FIG. 1). The electrical componentsinclude, but are not limited to, a memory, a linear position sensorassembly, and/or a pressure sensor, as will be described in detailherein. The flex circuit 100 is easy to assemble within adapter assembly14, eliminates the need for discreet, separate wires, and ultimatelyenhances patient safety and reduces manufacturing costs.

With reference to FIG. 1, a surgical instrument is provided, such as,for example, an electromechanical surgical instrument designatedgenerally using reference character 10. Surgical instrument 10 generallyincludes a handle assembly 12, an adapter assembly 14, and a surgicalloading unit 15 having an end effector 26. Handle assembly 12 isconfigured for selective attachment to any one of a number of adapterassemblies, for example, the illustrated circular end-to-end anastomosisadapter assembly 14 or an endo-gastrointestinal anastomosis adapterassembly (not shown), and, in turn, each adapter assembly is configuredfor selective connection with any number of surgical loading units, suchas, for example, the illustrated circular end-to-end anastomosissurgical loading unit 15 or an endo-gastrointestinal anastomosissurgical loading unit (not shown). Surgical loading unit 15 and adapterassembly 14 are configured for actuation and manipulation by handleassembly 12. Upon connecting adapter assembly 14 to handle assembly 12and one type of surgical loading unit 15 to adapter assembly 14,powered, hand-held, electromechanical surgical instrument 10 is formed.

For a detailed description of the construction and operation of anexemplary electromechanical, hand-held, powered surgical instrument,reference may be made to International Publication No. WO 2009/039506,filed on Sep. 22, 2008, and U.S. Pat. No. 10,588,629, filed on Nov. 20,2009, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein byreference.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, handle assembly 12 includes an innercore handle assembly (not explicitly shown) and a handle housing orshell 18 configured to selectively receive and encase the inner corehandle assembly. It is contemplated that handle housing 16 may bedisposable or sterilizable for re-use. The inner core handle assemblyincludes one or more motors “M” operable and configured to drive anoperation of end effector 26 of surgical loading unit 15. The inner corehandle assembly has a plurality of sets of operating parameters (e.g.,speed of operation of motors “M” of handle assembly 12, an amount ofpower to be delivered by motors “M” of handle assembly 12 to adapterassembly 14 during operation of motors “M,” selection of which motors“M” of handle assembly 12 are to be actuated, functions of end effector26 of surgical loading unit 15 to be performed by handle assembly 12, orthe like). Each set of operating parameters of handle assembly 12 isdesigned to drive the actuation of a specific set of functions unique torespective types of end effectors when an end effector is coupled tohandle assembly 12. For example, handle assembly 12 may vary its poweroutput, deactivate or activate certain buttons thereof, and/or actuatedifferent motors “M” thereof depending on which type of surgical loadingunit is coupled to handle assembly 12.

The actuation of motors “M” of handle assembly 12 function to driveshafts and/or gear components (not shown) of adapter assembly 14 inorder to drive the various operations of surgical loading unit 15attached thereto. In particular, when surgical loading unit 15 iscoupled to handle assembly 12, motors “M” are configured to drive theshafts and/or gear components of adapter assembly 14 in order toselectively move an anvil assembly 30 of end effector 26 of surgicalloading unit 15 relative to a circular cartridge assembly 28 of endeffector 26 of surgical loading unit 14, to fire staples from withincartridge assembly 28, and to advance an annular knife blade (not shown)from within circular cartridge assembly 28.

Handle housing 16 further includes a processor “P,” for example, amicroprocessor. Processor “P” is configured to determine if and when anidentification code stored in a memory 50 (FIG. 2) of adapter assembly14 corresponds to the type of surgical loading unit that is operativelycoupled to handle assembly 12. Processor “P” is configured to disableoperation of motors “M” of handle assembly 12 when the identificationcode stored in memory 50 does not correspond to a particular type ofsurgical loading unit 15 and/or adapter assembly 14 coupled to handleassembly 12. For example, if the identification code stored in memory 50corresponds to an endo-gastrointestinal anastomosis surgical loadingunit (not shown) and, if the illustrated circular end-to-end anastomosisloading unit 15 is coupled to handle assembly 12, a negativeidentification will be made by processor “P” and handle assembly 12 willbe rendered inoperable.

Handle assembly 12 further includes a battery “B” disposed in a baseportion thereof. Battery “B” provides power to motors “M” upon actuationof the trigger of handle assembly 12.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, adapter assembly 14 of surgicalinstrument 10 is configured to couple surgical loading unit 15 to handleassembly 12. Adapter assembly 14 includes a knob housing 20 and anelongate body 22 extending distally from a distal end of knob housing20. Knob housing 20 and elongate body 22 are configured and dimensionedto house the components of adapter assembly 14. Elongate body 22 isdimensioned for endoscopic insertion. For example, elongate body 22 ispassable through a typical trocar port, cannula, or the like. Knobhousing 20 is dimensioned to not enter the trocar port, cannula, or thelike. Elongate body 22 of adapter assembly 14 has a proximal portion 22a coupled to knob housing 20 and a distal portion 22 b configured to becoupled to surgical loading unit 15. Adapter assembly 14 converts arotation of drive elements (not shown) of handle assembly 12 into axialmovement of driven members (not shown) of adapter assembly 14 to actuatefunctions of loading unit 15.

An exemplary embodiment of an adapter assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 9,597,104, filed on May 2, 2013, the entire contents of which areincorporated by reference herein.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, surgical loading unit 15 of surgicalinstrument 10 has a proximal end having an elongate body 24 and a distalend having an end effector 26 supported on elongate body 24. Elongatebody 24 is releasably coupled to distal end 22 b of elongate bodyportion 22 of adapter assembly 14. In some embodiments, elongate body 24of surgical loading unit 15 may be monolithically formed with orintegrally connected to distal end 22 b of elongate body 22 of adapterassembly 14.

End effector 26 of loading unit 15 includes a cartridge assembly 28 andan anvil assembly 30. Cartridge assembly 28 is releasably mounted todistal end 24 b of elongate body 24. Cartridge assembly 28 includes astaple cartridge 32 configured for supporting a plurality of surgicalstaples (not shown) therein and to discharge the staples into tissueafter approximation of cartridge assembly 28 and anvil assembly 30.Staple cartridge 32 has a plurality of staple retaining recesses 33having the surgical staples disposed therein. Staple retaining recesses33 are arranged in annular rows. It is envisioned that cartridgeassembly 28 may be operably mounted to a distal end of any actuationassembly, powered or manual, of various surgical instruments.

Anvil assembly 30 includes, inter alia, an anvil shaft 36, an anvil head38, and an anvil center rod 40 extending from anvil head 38. Anvil shaft36 extends from elongate body 24 of loading unit 15. A proximal end (notshown) of anvil shaft 36 is configured to be removably or non-removablycoupled to a central shaft 16 of adapter assembly 14. As known in theart, central shaft 16 of adapter assembly 14 is operable to selectivelylongitudinally move anvil shaft 36 to move anvil head 38, which issupported on anvil shaft 36, between unapproximated and approximatedpositions, in relation to cartridge assembly 28, in response toactuation of handle assembly 12.

With reference to FIG. 2, surgical instrument 10 further includes a flexcircuit 100, which is disposed or disposable within adapter assembly 14and configured to electrically connect electrical components (e.g., amemory 50, a linear position sensor assembly 60, and a pressure sensor70, or the like) of adapter assembly 14 to processor “P” of handleassembly 12. In particular, flex circuit 100 extends longitudinallythrough adapter assembly 14 and has a proximal end 100 a and a distalend 100 b. Proximal end 100 a of flex circuit 100 is configured to beelectrically connected, directly or indirectly, to processor “P” ofhandle assembly 12. Distal end 100 b of flex circuit 100 is configuredto be electrically connected, directly or indirectly, to memory 50,linear position sensor assembly 60, and pressure sensor 70, as will bedescribed in greater detail below.

In some embodiments, distal end 100 b of flex circuit 100 may beconfigured to be electrically connected to certain electrical components(e.g., a memory, a linear position sensor assembly, and/or a pressuresensor, or the like) disposed in surgical loading unit 15 rather than inadapter assembly 14 or in addition to those disposed in adapter assembly14.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3A-3C, flex circuit 100 comprises twosurface layers 102, 104 stacked upon one another. It is contemplatedthat flex circuit 100 may include one or more than two surface layers.First and second surface layers 102, 104 bifurcate from one another (seeFIG. 2) at distal end 100 b of flex circuit 100 to form a first distalend 102 b of flex circuit 100 and a second distal end 104 b of flexcircuit 100. First distal end 102 b of flex circuit 100 electricallyconnects to both memory 50 and linear position sensor assembly 60.Second distal end 104 b of flex circuit 100 electrically connects topressure sensor 70. Proximal ends 102 a, 104 a of each of surface layers102, 104 electrically connect, directly or indirectly, to processor “P”to electrically couple processor “P” to memory 50, linear positionsensor assembly 60, and pressure sensor 70.

Proximal and distal ends 102 a, 102 b of first surface layer 102 of flexcircuit 100 each have seven (7) contacts “C1-C7,” “C8-C14.” Two contacts“C13,” “C14” of the seven (7) contacts “C8-C14” of distal end 102 b offirst surface layer 102 are associated with memory 50, and two contacts“C1,” “C2” of the seven (7) contacts “C” of proximal end 102 a of firstsurface layer 102 are associated with processor “P” for transmittinginformation between processor “P” of handle assembly 12 and memory 50 ofadapter assembly 14. The other five (5) contacts “C8-C12” of the seven(7) contacts “C8-C14” of distal end 102 b of first surface layer 102 areassociated with linear position sensor assembly 60, and the other five(5) contacts “C3-C7” of the seven (7) contacts “C1-C7” of proximal end102 a of first surface layer 102 are associated with processor “P” fortransmitting information between processor “P” of handle assembly 12 andlinear position sensor assembly 60 of adapter assembly 14.

Proximal and distal ends 104 a, 104 b of second surface layer 104 offlex circuit 100 each have five (5) contacts “C15-C19,” “C20-C24.” Thefive (5) contacts “C20-C24” of distal end 104 b of second surface layer104 are associated with pressure sensor 70, and the five (5) contacts“C15-C19” of proximal end 104 a of second surface layer 104 areassociated with processor “P” for transmitting information betweenprocessor “P” of handle assembly 12 and pressure sensor 70 of adapterassembly 14. In some embodiments, first and second surface layers 102,104 may have fewer or more than 7 or 5 contacts, respectively.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, as mentioned above, adapter assembly14 includes a plurality of electrical components, e.g., a memory 50, alinear position sensor assembly 60, and a pressure sensor 70. Memory 50of adapter assembly 14 is disposed within distal end 22 b (FIG. 1) ofelongate body 22 and is electrically coupled to first distal end 102 bof flex circuit 100. It is contemplated that memory 50 may be anon-volatile memory, such as, for example, a 1-wire electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory. Memory 50 has stored thereindiscrete operating parameters of handle assembly 12 that correspond tothe operation of one type of surgical loading unit, for example,surgical loading unit 15, and/or one type of adapter assembly, forexample, adapter assembly 14. The operating parameter(s) stored inmemory 50 can be at least one of: a speed of operation of motors “M” ofhandle assembly 12; an amount of power to be delivered by “M” of handleassembly 12 during operation thereof; which motors “M” of handleassembly 12 are to be actuated upon operating handle assembly 12; typesof functions of surgical loading unit 15 to be performed by handleassembly 12; or the like.

Memory 50 may also have a discrete identification code or serial numberstored therein that corresponds to one type of surgical loading unitand/or one type of adapter assembly. The identification code stored inmemory 50 indicates the type of surgical loading unit and/or adapterassembly to which handle assembly 12 is intended to be used.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, linear position assembly 60 ofadapter assembly 14 is partially disposed within distal end 22 b ofelongate body 22 and is electrically coupled to first distal end 102 bof flex circuit 100. Linear position assembly 60 includes a plurality ofsensors 62 axially aligned with one another. Linear position sensorassembly 60 further includes magnets (not shown) mounted on centralshaft 16 of adapter assembly 14. As such, the magnets move with centralshaft 16 as central shaft 16 moves relative to cartridge assembly 28between the unapproximated and approximated positions. Central shaft 16is configured for slidable receipt in a channel 64 defined in a housing66 of linear position sensor assembly 60. In some embodiments, themagnets may be supported on or disposed in various components of anvilassembly 30. The magnets generate a magnetic field that is detected bysensors 62 and used to ultimately determine a linear position of anvilassembly 30 relative to cartridge assembly 28.

Sensors 62 are configured to sense a change in the magnetic fieldemitted by the magnets upon longitudinal movement of the magnetsrelative to sensors 62 as central shaft 16 is displaced or moved axiallythrough channel 64 of linear position sensor assembly 60. Sensors 62 maybe in the form of magnetoresistance sensors. As such, magnetoresistancesensors 62 are configured to sense or determine an angle of direction ofthe magnetic field emitted by the magnets throughout relativelongitudinal movement of the magnets. In some embodiments, sensors 62may be in the form of hall-effect sensors. Hall-effect sensors areconfigured to sense or determine a magnetic flux density of the magneticfield emitted by the magnets throughout relative longitudinal movementof the magnets.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, pressure sensor or strain gauge 70 ofadapter assembly 14 is disposed within distal end 22 b of elongate body22 and is electrically coupled to second distal end 104 b of flexcircuit 100. Pressure sensor 70 is designed and adapted to detect,measure, and relay to handle assembly 12 an axial force output and/orinput of adapter assembly 14. In particular, drive shafts (not shown) ofadapter assembly 14 are operably coupled to strain gauge 70 and extendthrough a channel 72 defined through strain gauge 70. As strain gauge 60enters a compressed and/or tensioned condition by a force impartedthereon by movement of the drive shafts of adapter assembly 14, anelectrical resistance of strain gauge 60 is changed, which is measuredby a circuit board, such as, for example, a wheatstone bridge (notshown). The measured change in electrical resistance of strain gauge 60is then related to the amount strain gauge 60 has been strained (e.g.,bent). The calculated strain is then correlated to an amount of axialforce output of adapter assembly 14.

For a detailed discussion of an exemplary pressure sensor, reference maybe made to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0274962, filedon Mar. 30, 2015, now abandoned, the entire contents of which areincorporated by reference herein.

In use, a particular surgical procedure is selected, such as, forexample, a thoracic surgery having a unique and/or specific set ofsurgical operating parameters/requirements/tasks. Accordingly, adesired/necessary adapter assembly, e.g., adapter assembly 14, isselected from a plurality of adapter assemblies available for use inorder to achieve the surgical operating parameter/requirement/task.Proximal end 100 a of flex circuit 100 of adapter assembly 14 isconnected to processor “P” of handle assembly 12 and distal end 100 b offlex circuit 100 is connected to each of the electrical components ofadapter assembly 14 (e.g., memory 50, linear position sensor assembly60, and pressure sensor 70).

Upon directly or indirectly electrically connecting processor “P” ofhandle assembly 12 to memory 50 of adapter assembly 14 via flex circuit100, processor “P” receives, from memory 50, the parameter(s) by whichhandle assembly 12 will operate during use, including, for example, aset of parameters tailored for the operation of adapter assembly 14.Upon directly or indirectly electrically connecting processor “P” tolinear position sensor assembly 60 of adapter assembly 14 via flexcircuit 100, processor “P” is able to receive information from linearposition sensor assembly 60 involving the linear position of anvilassembly 30 of surgical loading unit 15 relative to cartridge assembly28 of surgical loading unit 15. Upon directly or indirectly electricallyconnecting processor “P” of handle assembly 12 to pressure sensor 70 ofadapter assembly 14 via flex circuit 100, processor “P” is able toreceive information from pressure sensor 70 involving an amount of axialforce output or input of adapter assembly 14.

With reference to FIG. 6, provided is an embodiment of a flex circuit200, similar to flex circuit 100 described above with reference to FIGS.1-5. Flex circuit 200 is configured to be assembled within an adapterassembly, for example, adapter assembly 14 of FIG. 1. Flex circuit 200has a proximal end 200 a and a distal end 200 b. Proximal end 200 a offlex circuit 200 is configured to be electrically connected, directly orindirectly, to processor “P” (FIG. 1) of handle assembly 12. Distal end200 b of flex circuit 200 has a switch 202 configured to be activated bya surgical loading unit, e.g., an endo-gastrointestinal anastomosissurgical loading unit (not shown) upon proper connection of the surgicalloading unit to adapter assembly 14. Flex circuit 200 also has a memory250, similar to memory 50 described above, that has stored thereinoperating parameters of handle assembly 12 (FIG. 1).

In use, upon properly connecting the surgical loading unit with adapterassembly 14, memory 250 of flex circuit 200 automatically transmits theoperating parameters stored therein to processor “P” via flex cable 200.If the surgical loading unit is not properly connected to adapterassembly 14, or the wrong surgical loading unit is connected to adapterassembly 14, switch 202 of flex circuit 200 will not be activated suchthat handle assembly 12 will not be operable to actuate functions of thesurgical loading unit.

In some embodiments, flex circuit 200 may also be configured toelectrically connect, in addition to switch 202, other electricalcomponents (e.g. a linear position sensor assembly and/or a pressuresensor) of adapter assembly 14 to processor “P” of a handle assembly,e.g., handle assembly 12 of FIG. 1.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to theembodiments of the presently disclosed surgical instrument 10 andcomponents thereof. Therefore, the above description should not beconstrued as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of embodiments.Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within thescope and spirit of the present disclosure.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A surgical adapter assembly, comprising: a knobhousing; an elongate body extending distally from the knob housing andhaving a distal end configured to be coupled to a surgical end effector;a plurality of electrical components disposed within the elongate body;and a flex circuit extending longitudinally through the knob housing andthe elongate body and having a proximal end configured to beelectrically connected to a processor located external to the adapterassembly, and a distal end electrically connected to the plurality ofelectrical components.
 22. The adapter assembly according to claim 21,wherein the flex circuit includes at least two surface layers stackedupon one another, a first surface layer of the at least two surfacelayers being configured to electrically couple the processor to two ofthe plurality of electrical components, and a second surface layer ofthe at least two surface layers being configured to electrically couplethe processor to another of the plurality of electrical components. 23.The adapter assembly according to claim 21, wherein the distal end ofthe flex circuit includes a switch configured to be activated by onetype of end effector upon connection of the one type of end effector tothe distal end of the elongate body, whereby a memory of the flexcircuit transmits operating parameters of the adapter assembly to theprocessor.
 24. The adapter assembly according to claim 21, wherein oneof the plurality of electrical components is a linear position sensorassembly that is disposed in the distal end of the elongate body, andwherein the distal end of the flex circuit is electrically andmechanically connected to the linear position sensor assembly.
 25. Theadapter assembly according to claim 24, wherein the linear positionsensor assembly includes plurality of sensors axially aligned with oneanother along a longitudinal axis of the linear position sensorassembly.
 26. The adapter assembly according to claim 24, wherein thelinear position sensor assembly has five contacts electrically connectedto the distal end of the flex circuit.
 27. The adapter assemblyaccording to claim 24, wherein another of the plurality of electricalcomponents is a pressure sensor, the distal end of the flex circuitbeing bifurcated forming a first distal end electrically andmechanically connected to the linear position sensor assembly and amemory, and a second distal end electrically and mechanically connectedto the pressure sensor.
 28. The adapter assembly according to claim 27,wherein the second distal end of the flex circuit extends in a generallyproximal direction and is disposed proximally of the first distal end ofthe flex circuit.
 29. The adapter assembly according to claim 27,wherein the pressure sensor is a strain gauge.
 30. The adapter assemblyaccording to claim 27, wherein the pressure sensor has five contactselectrically connected to the second distal end of the flex circuit. 31.The adapter assembly according to claim 21, wherein one electricalcomponent of the plurality of electrical components is a memory havingstored therein at least one operating parameter of the adapter assembly,the distal end of the flex circuit being electrically connected to thememory.
 32. The adapter assembly according to claim 31, wherein the atleast one operating parameter is selected from the group consisting of aspeed of operation of a motor, an amount of power to be delivered by themotor during operation thereof, a selection of which motors are to beactuated, and a type of function of the end effector to be performed.33. The adapter assembly according to claim 31, wherein the memory hasan identification code stored therein corresponding to one type of endeffector.
 34. The adapter assembly according to claim 31, wherein thememory is a 1-wire eeprom having two contacts electrically andmechanically connected to the distal end of the flex circuit.
 35. Anadapter assembly configured to convert a rotation of drive elements of ahandle assembly into axial movement of driven members of the adapterassembly to actuate functions of an end effector of a surgical loadingunit, the adapter assembly comprising: a knob housing configured todetachably connect to the handle housing; an elongate body extendingdistally from the knob housing and having a distal end; a plurality ofelectrical components disposed within the distal end of the elongatebody; and a flex circuit extending longitudinally through the knobhousing and the elongate body and having a proximal end configured to beelectrically connected to a processor located external of the adapterassembly, and a distal end electrically connected to the plurality ofelectrical components.
 36. The adapter assembly according to claim 35,wherein the flex circuit includes at least two surface layers stackedupon one another, a first surface layer of the at least two surfacelayers being configured to electrically couple the processor to two ofthe plurality of electrical components, and a second surface layer ofthe at least two surface layers being configured to electrically couplethe processor to another of the plurality of electrical components. 37.The adapter assembly according to claim 36, wherein a first electricalcomponent of the plurality of electrical components is a linear positionsensor assembly that is disposed in the distal end of the elongate body,a distal end of the first surface layer of the at least two surfacelayers of the flex circuit being electrically and mechanically connectedto the linear position sensor assembly.
 38. The adapter assemblyaccording to claim 37, wherein a second electrical component of theplurality of electrical components is a pressure sensor, a distal end ofthe second surface layer of the at least two surface layers of the flexcircuit being bifurcated from the first surface layer and having adistal end electrically and mechanically connected to the pressuresensor.
 39. The adapter assembly according to claim 38, wherein a thirdelectrical component of the plurality of electrical components is amemory having stored therein at least one operating parameter of theadapter assembly, the distal end of the first surface layer of the atleast two surface layers of the flex circuit being electricallyconnected to the memory.
 40. The adapter assembly according to claim 35,wherein a majority of a length of the flex circuit is disposed withinthe elongate body.